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Kingdom of Heaven | Love | Pain | ServingTo the Churches Whose Missionaries Have Come “Home”
ByEmilyIt was 2001. My family had arrived in Kazakhstan in 1996, the first American family in our town, and been joined by other Americans and Aussies over the next several years. It was a fairly isolated place, and we certainly didn’t have Facebook and Zoom to remain connected to friends and family in our sending…
- Love | Pain | Prayer | The Beatitudes
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
ByEmilyWe’ve been exploring what it means to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, starting with Jesus’ descriptions of its citizens, including those who are “poor in spirit.” He goes on to say: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” This one hits close to home for the many who…

El Camino Reflections: Corruption or Caring
ByEmilyDevotional Day 26 Come now, you rich people, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have corroded, and their corrosion will serve as a testimony against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is…
- Glory | Kingdom of Heaven | Pain | Prayer | The Beatitudes
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart: An impossible goal?
ByEmilyWhen reading the Beatitudes, the descriptions of those being blessed often seem lofty (I know my focus is not always on righteousness) or unpalatable (whose goal is it to be meek and mourning?). We all know that no one is perfect, so the next statement appears out of our reach. Jesus said: “Blessed are the…

When Forgiveness Isn’t Fair (The Perfect Prayer: Part 3)
ByEmily[After a long hiatus due to significant life events, we are finally back to unpacking the beautiful example of prayer given by Jesus. Thanks for your patience!] Forgiveness is a topic that can strike a raw nerve in many hearts. Several years ago I co-authored a chapter in a book on dealing with sexual abuse….




